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Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
A: Home inspection companies are easy to start but difficult to maintain. We have seen many come and go. James Dobney & Associates has been in business since 1986. We are one of the oldest and largest independent home inspection companies in Western Canada.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR INSPECTORS' QUALIFICATIONS?
A: The industry is essentially unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a home inspector, without any specific training or qualifications. Only members of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI BC) can use the designation Registered Home Inspector (RHI) in British Columbia. All of our inspectors belong to CAHPI BC®. James Dobney was the founding president of CAHPI BC®, the first member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®) in British Columbia and has served on the Boards of Directors of CAHPI BC® and ASHI®. For more information about CAHPI BC, see their website at www.cahpi.bc.ca.
Q: CAN I FOLLOW ALONG AT THE INSPECTION?
A: If a company discourages you from attending the full inspection, don't use them. We actually encourage you to attend. This is a valuable learning experience for most home buyers. It is the perfect opportunity to ask specific questions about the condition of the home. Also, when defects are identified, the inspector can discuss these so that you understand what repairs are required.
Q: DO YOU DO REPAIRS OR RECOMMEND CONTRACTORS?
A: No. We specialize in building inspections. We consider it a conflict of interest for a home inspector to recommend or refer a contractor to perform repairs. We offer an unbiased opinion on the condition of the home. We accept no referral fees from anyone.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN INSPECTION COST?
A: Our typical fee for an inspection is around $400 - $500. It is based on the size, age and complexity of the home. If you are comparing home inspection firms, the fee charged should not be the sole deciding factor, unless of course the level of service offered is identical. We suspect the house you are buying is not the cheapest house, but rather a house that you feel represents good value. We urge you to choose your home inspector the same way.
Q : HOW LONG DOES AN INSPECTION TAKE?
A: A typical home inspection takes between 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 hours. Some older and/or larger homes can take longer. As a courtesy to the vendor, they should be informed of the time involved once the inspection is arranged.
Q: DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT?
A: Yes. Our report is ready for you upon completion of the inspection itself. No delay. We use a comprehensive report writing system, The Home Reference Book, that our clients have found to be essential in assisting them in their decision to purchase. It is also a valuable reference during your ownership of the property. It includes a one page summary of the condition of the home, nine reports dealing with the major systems of your home, and 400 pages of reference material corresponding to our recommendations.
Q: CAN WE ASK YOU QUESTIONS AFTER THE INSPECTION?
A: Certainly. We would be glad to answer any questions you might have after the inspection or even after you move into your new home for as long as you own it.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT?
A: We inspect the major systems of the house. These include the roof, exterior, structure, electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing, insulation and interior. Our goal is to identify any existing major problems that would affect a typical purchaser's buying decision. We will add significantly to your knowledge of the home, but still cannot tell you everything about the house. All home inspections are entirely visual. No destructive testing is performed. The inspection and report will put you in a much better position to make your decision.
Q: CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH REFERENCES?
A: Certainly. Please visit our testimonials section of this website for some of the recent feedback we have received from clients. As well, we can fax you a few questionnaires from previous clients. If you wish to come to our office we can show you hundreds of questionnaires.
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